Leeds City & District Canine Association

Leeds City & District Canine Association – 23rd July 2026

Irish Water Spaniels.

Thank you to the Officers and Committee of Leeds for allowing me the opportunity to award CC’s for the first time in a breed which I owned and showed for over 17 years. They are an endearing breed, and it is a shame that there are now only a small band of enthusiasts keeping the breed going in the UK. Although a numerically small entry, this was more than compensated for by the quality on display. Overall, I though that there was more depth of quality in the females today. As is customary, I would also like to thank my two ring stewards, Melvin and Carl, but most of all, as always, the biggest thanks go to the exhibitors who afforded me the opportunity to go over their dogs.

Junior Dog (2,1)

1 Foulby Storm Warning (Hackett Mr J & Williams Mrs A)

Fourteen month old typy male from a kennel which I know well, at that teenager stage where everything is there but needs time to develop, he has a good dome and length to muzzle which was square, sufficient length to neck, good lay of shoulder, he stands on a straight front, chest and ribs need to develop, his loin is wide, his stifles are well angulated with low set hocks, he has a good coat and move well with good profile, a little close behind which should improve as he strengthen all through.

Post Graduate Dog (1)

1 Stanegate Sweetest Thing At Shelseivad (Davies Ms E & Mrs H)

Male of twenty two months, who sports a masculine head of correct proportions with balance between breadth, depth and height, sufficient in stop with clean square muzzle, eyes of correct almond shape, which are darkening, low set ears of good length, well laid shoulders, he stands on a straight front with large feet, ribs are developing well, he has strength in loin, low set tail and hocks, in good crisp coat, moved out well using the ring.

Limit Dog (1)

1 Nyllaup Oregon Sunstone (Bradley Mrs L & Mr P)

Two year old male, who shows a lot of promise, his masculine head is balanced with good dome, good length to muzzle, dark eye, he is long in ear, good neck and shoulders, he has a deep chest and correct barrel ribs along with strength in loin, his well angulated rear and low set hocks bring balance to the picture, tail of correct length, in good coat, move well in all directions, nice dog, seriously considered for the RDCC, just needs a little more time.

Open Dog (3,1)

1 Sh Ch Fynder Reacher Shex (Latheron Ms L & Trenchard Mr M)

One I have judged and done well before, a five year old who has a masculine head with good dome, square muzzle of good length with correct stop and eye, his ears are set on low and are of good length, his neck is long with arch into well laid shoulders, he stands on a straight front with good feet, his chest is deep, ribs barreled with elbows well tucked in, not too long in back, he has a well angulated rear, strong in second thigh with low-set hocks, he is in good coat with crisp curls and ringlets, this dog has powerful movement which is true fore and aft holding a strong topline, his handler needs to take confidence from that and make better use of the ring, despite that couldn’t be denied the Dog CC.

2 Sh Ch Cuboglach Sandy Wave (Duckmanton Mr B & Mrs M)

Male a few months younger than the winner, a worthy champion, balanced masculine head with a correctly shaped dark eye, he has a good neck and shoulder, I preferred the depth of chest and tightness of elbow of the winner, good ribs and length to back, his rear complements his overall balance with well angulated stifles and low set hocks, another in good coat, his young handler got the best out of him on the move, RDCC

Veteran Dog (1)

Sh Ch Eldarrah Clash of Kings For Antdela (Blades Ms A & Andrews Mr A)

Male coming up ten, he sports a balanced head with good dome, good length to muzzle, with good length to ear, he has strength in neck with good shoulder, he has a straight front and large feet, good chest and ribs, still holds a good topline and has a strong loin, well let down hocks, despite his age moves exuberantly, another worthy champion just preferred the overall balance of his sister in the challenge for best veteran in breed.

Puppy Bitch (1)

1 Stanegate Step To Stardom For Grakar (Stirk Mr G, Mrs K & Miss Z)

What a cracking puppy, just six months old, her head is feminine with good dome, stop and length to muzzle, almond shape to eye which is already darkening, arched neck of good length, straight front, chest needs to develop, sports good ribs at a tender age, balanced in rear with well bent stifles, well developed second thigh and well let down hocks, low set tail of correct length, good coat, moved well for one so young, found out following judging that she is the daughter of my best of breed, BPB & BPIB

Junior Bitch (2)

1 Foulby Chasing Dreams (Hackett Mr J & Williams Mrs A)

Litter sister to junior dog and a feminine version, so much of what I said about him applies to her, fourteen moves, larger stamp, balanced feminine head good square muzzle, oval ears of good length, strong neck, well placed shoulders, straight front, tight elbows, good length to back, ribs developing, strong loin, good bend of stifle, low set hocks, move purposely, preferred the front movement of this young lady today.

2 Curlyco Cosmic Girl (Imp Fin) (Roberts Mr J)

A month older than the winner, she is balanced throughout, slighter in frame, her head proportions were balanced with good dome, eye of good shape and colour, well placed shoulders, balanced in rear with low set hocks, tail of correct length, in good coat and condition, moved well but not as positive in front today.

Post Graduate Bitch (1)

1 Cairteila Look At Me Now (Foody Mrs C)

Feminine bitch who is maturing nicely, she sports a typical head, sufficient width, length and dome, long muzzle, dark almond shaped eyes, low set ears, good shoulder, her front is straight, nice feet, good depth to chest and well rounded ribs, adequate in back, well bent stifles, low set hocks, moved well fore and aft and held topline in profile.

Limit Bitch (1)

1 Cambridgcurl Aileen Fox (Prof. C Stoddart)

Mature bitch coming up four, she has good depth to width proportions with sufficient dome to her head, would have preferred a little more strength to muzzle, good length to ear low set and close to cheeks, straight front, deep chest, showing strength in loin, well let down hocks, tail set low, steady mover.

Open Bitch (3,1)

Best class of the day

1 Sh Ch Stanegate Standing Ovation (Carruthers Mrs J)

I could have been judging twenty years ago, what a typy lady, she has a balanced feminine head, dark eye, low set ears, strength to neck, her shoulders are well laid and she stands on a straight front with good feet, her chest is deep and ribs are of correct barrel shape, strong in loin, well bent stifles, hocks low-set, tail set on low and correct in length, moved well in all directions, holding a table top topline couldn’t be denied the BCC & BOB.

2 Sh Ch Nyllaup Akoya Pearl For Grakar JW Shcex Osw (Stirk Mr G, Mrs K & Miss Z)

Two year old bitch, a little rangier than one but everything balanced and in proportion, her head is balanced with good length to muzzle with dark eye, good neck and shoulder, standing on a straight front, tight elbows, preferred the chest and ribs of one, good length to back, strength in loin, well angulated rear, crisp coat, another good mover in all directions RBCC

Veteran Bitch (1)

1 Eldarrah Dream of Spring (Blades Ms A & Andrews Mr A)

Litter sister to the Veteran dog winner, her head is feminine, good dome, strength in muzzle, her eye is of correct shape and dark, well laid shoulder, straight front, good barrel ribs, well developed loin, good balance rear, in good coat for age, moved out well. BVIB

Paul W Osbourne (Judge)